Oceanographic Instrumentation Center: IMO promotes a technical reference in oceanographic and technological services in the country

The initiative was born from the award of a Major Scientific and Technological Equipment Competition (FONDEQUIP) by ANID.

This is an integrated system for observing the deep ocean - Integrated Deep-Ocean Observing System or its acronym in English IDOOS - that considers two research components (geophysics and oceanography) developed by the Millennium Institute of Oceanography (IMO) and that motivated the creation of the Oceanographic Instrumentation Center (CIO). The latter is housed at IMO.

“This observatory focuses on solving questions about the deep ocean. The IMO carried out explorations in the Atacama Trench and found that the area had much more biological activity than previously believed. In general, research is being done on how life is sustained in such a hostile environment,” said Nadin Ramírez, executive director of CIO.

Projects like this motivate the development of centers, such as the Oceanographic Instrumentation Center, with the mission of providing technical and instrumental support, with highly qualified professionals and state-of-the-art facilities. In this way, it supports the Millennium Institute of Oceanography in the implementation and maintenance of this observation system.

The next step towards research

The Atacama Trench is considered the deepest and most extensive in the southern hemisphere, with more than 8 thousand meters deep and 6 thousand kilometers long. With the IMO expeditions, new research opportunities and challenges arose in the exploration of the deep ocean. Under these technical needs in Observational Oceanography, the CIO was born, with experts in the area of ​​geophysics and oceanography, capable of designing and operating specialized instrumentation for these purposes.

In March 2023, with the support of CIO professionals, part of the geophysical equipment that measures deformations of the seabed was installed, using the German research vessel R/V Sonne, while the oceanographic equipment, integrated into the submarine anchors, was installed in October 2023 with the national scientific vessel Abate Molina.

The oceanographic anchors included various instruments, such as current meters, dissolved oxygen sensors, pCO2 sensors, CTD (salinity, density, temperature and pressure) and sediment traps, equipment with which relevant information from the deep ocean will be obtained.

Strategic alliances and projections

CIO relates to its users in very diverse ways. Throughout its three years of execution, it has collaborated with more than 20 national and international institutions, academic, research centers, environmental consultants and companies in the sector, among which the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy (SHOA) and the Institute for Fisheries Development (IFOP) stand out.

Some of the services provided by CIO are: maintenance of scientific equipment, including calibration and verification of CTD equipment; sample analysis; oceanographic campaigns; data processing; and rental of oceanographic equipment. In addition, CIO has the capacity to offer solutions to certain technological challenges, through applied engineering, provided by its Technological Innovation Unit.

In addition, the CIO supports projects by young researchers and emerging research centers, in order to contribute to the development of oceanographic research in Chile.

Credit: CIO Communications.